Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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Question 1181: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he has a database on reported incidents of anti-social behaviour; if so, if he will indicate the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour that were reported in 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; if he has carried out any research to estimate the true level of anti-social behaviour incidents across the country and the level of anti-social behaviour incidents that go unreported; if he will report on any new initiatives to target the scourge of anti-social and criminal activity in local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33892/10]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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Question 1182: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform his plans to develop a precise and mappable database of anti-social and criminal hotspots that will allow An Garda Síochána and local authorities to target problematic areas in local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33893/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1181 and 1182 together.

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. The CSO recorded crime statistics, which are published quarterly and annually, provide figures on offences recorded by An Garda Síochána, including incidences of anti-social behaviour such as public disorder and criminal damage.

I have requested the CSO to provide relevant statistics directly to the Deputy.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána has available an analysis service which works with its management structure in identifying and mapping areas that require Garda attention in the context of anti-social behaviour and criminal activity, in addition to a number of other policing matters. Garda management utilises the results of this analysis when putting in place appropriate policing plans to prevent and detect criminal offences.

One of the priorities I determined for An Garda Síochána in 2010 is the achievement of the maximum levels of safety for local communities. Key actions in the Garda Policing Plan for 2010 include reducing public disorder, assaults and criminal damage, and in this regard there is a commitment to identifying and proactively targeting local "hot spots".

In 2009, the Garda Commissioner and I launched a new Garda National Model of Community Policing. The Model builds on the success of existing good community policing practice within Ireland and aims to foster collaborative partnerships between An Garda Síochána and members of the community. There is a range of well established community policing initiatives in place to track and evaluate matters of local interest, to both urban and rural communities, that require Garda attention. In addition, An Garda Síochána is also closely engaged in the work of various local structures, including Local Drug Task Forces and Joint Policing Committees, which enable them to respond to the concerns of communities about anti-social behaviour and criminal activities.

Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDPs) are nationwide, community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiatives which seek to divert young people from becoming involved in anti-social and/or criminal behaviour. The aim is to provide suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long term employability prospects of young people who have come to the attention of the Gardaí.

In 2008 the Irish Youth Justice Service carried out a baseline Analysis of the 100 GYDPs around the country with the subsequent report Designing Effective Local Responses to Youth Crime published in 2009 and available on the IYJS website. The report included a number of recommendations to improve the operation of the GYDPs. These recommendations are currently being implemented in five trial sites, and all of the report's recommendations will be substantially implemented by the end of this year.